Caninsulin once a day?

[Gemma and Gracie]

This possibly be a hard question to answer without me giving a very detailed description of Gracie's past but briefly she was started off on 1u twice a day November time last year. Her BG dropped to 2 just before Christmas and my vet said stop giving her any insulin until after Xmas. When she had a reading a few days later at the vets (I can't remember that reading) but it had risen and they said try 1/2u once a day which she's been on ever since. She has Caninsulin. Since the beginning of this process she's had diarrhea, she's had all the tests going and I can't get cleared. Trying to sort her diarrhea problem out has over shadowed her diabetes. She has lost so much weight and her weight loss is becoming a serious problem. I've had it in my mind that it's the diarrhea causing the weight loss but now I'm starting to wonder if it could also be something to do with only having 1/2u a day of insulin? She's had BG readings at the vets; last week 18. week before 14 but at random times during the day. I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about this???? Could the 1/2u have anything to do with the weight loss?

 

[Sharon14]

Insulin should be given twice a day, and the best way to know how much to dose insulin is for you to home test. It’s easy and we will help you learn. For the diarrhea, I saw your post about the s. Boulardii emergency stop. Did you do it? I found with my cat that plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) was the only thing that stopped his diarrhea.

 

[JanetNJ]

I agree with above. Try limited ingredient food.... Feed as much as she wants and add a probiotic.

Please start home testing daily. It's the only way to really know what dose will work.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

 

[Gemma and Gracie]

Insulin should be given twice a day, and the best way to know how much to dose insulin is for you to home test. It’s easy and we will help you learn. For the diarrhea, I saw your post about the s. Boulardii emergency stop. Did you do it? I found with my cat that plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) was the only thing that stopped his diarrhea.

I'm going to attempt to try today. She's grazing throughout the day so I'm not sure how many times to do it and when, what do you advise today? We did try the emergency stop with s.boulardii but it didn't work for Gracie. I think she's low in B12, she's having weekly injections now.

 

[Gemma and Gracie]

I agree with above. Try limited ingredient food.... Feed as much as she wants and add a probiotic.

Please start home testing daily. It's the only way to really know what dose will work.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

Thanks for the video Janet, I've watched it a couple of times now. I'm going to start today.

 

[JanetNJ]

I'm going to attempt to try today. She's grazing throughout the day so I'm not sure how many times to do it and when, what do you advise today? We did try the emergency stop with s.boulardii but it didn't work for Gracie. I think she's low in B12, she's having weekly injections now.

What are her symptoms of the low b12? Anemia? Neuropathy? What specifically is she eating?

 

[Gemma and Gracie]

What are her symptoms of the low b12? Anemia? Neuropathy? What specifically is she eating?

Diarrhea is her biggest problem, she's also anemic and her back legs are weak. She was eating Whiskas (UK) but just tried transitioning her to Raw (natural instinct venison) which she didn't mind but then decided she didn't like it. Since then we went back to Whiskas just so I could get her to eat something because she can't afford to lose anymore weight. She's tried lots of different foods; Sheba fine flakes / applaws / wellness / hi life - she's fussy little lady. She also has 20ml fluids twice a day now to combat the dehydration from the diarrhea

 

[JanetNJ]

Diarrhea is her biggest problem, she's also anemic and her back legs are weak. She was eating Whiskas (UK) but just tried transitioning her to Raw (natural instinct venison) which she didn't mind but then decided she didn't like it. Since then we went back to Whiskas just so I could get her to eat something because she can't afford to lose anymore weight. She's tried lots of different foods; Sheba fine flakes / applaws / wellness / hi life - she's fussy little lady. She also has 20ml fluids twice a day now to combat the dehydration from the diarrhea

You can give her oral b12 methylcobalamin as well. Keep giving the probiotics. A little plain canned pumkin may firm up the stool and give a little extra water. Are her kidneys ok? What's the cause of the anemia?

 

[Gemma and Gracie]

You can give her oral b12 methylcobalamin as well. Keep giving the probiotics. A little plain canned pumkin may firm up the stool and give a little extra water. Are her kidneys ok? What's the cause of the anemia?

I have some B12 tablets for her but haven't been adding it since we started the injections. With regards to the probiotics the ones I have are s.boulardii - do you think I should give her another kind? I give her 1/2 capsule twice a day. We did try pumpkin, didn't see a change unfortunately but not sure how long that takes to work. Her kidneys are ok, the anemia, we think is from blood loss in her stools

 

[JanetNJ]

I have some B12 tablets for her but haven't been adding it since we started the injections. With regards to the probiotics the ones I have are s.boulardii - do you think I should give her another kind? I give her 1/2 capsule twice a day. We did try pumpkin, didn't see a change unfortunately but not sure how long that takes to work. Her kidneys are ok, the anemia, we think is from blood loss in her stools

Poor kitty. That probiotic should be good. I've only ever personally used FortiFlora but none of my cats had the problem for more than a couple of weeks. It can't hurt to add the pumkin in addition unless it causes her to not want to eat it. Pumkin helps to add bulk to the stool because of the fiber in it.

I know you said you tried Raw food and it didn't work out.... Have you tried a novel protien? Meaning a meat she hasn't eaten before? Many cats with IBD find it helps.... Esp if they have an allergy to chicken or fish. Feeding a food with a single protien source such as rabbit, duck, or venison.

 

[Sharon14]

She's grazing throughout the day so I'm not sure how many times to do it and when, what do you advise today?

In the beginning it’s ok to test at anytime. Once you get the hang of it, then test before you give your shots, and when possible, get a few mid cycle tests. Give it a go and let us know if there are any problems so we can give you suggestions. Remember to warm a her ear first. I vigorously rub my cats ear, but many use a rice sock warmed in the microwave.

 

[Gemma and Gracie]

I did my first test today, about 6 hours from her morning shot. She was 9.3 - I'm using a human meter. Glad I've done the 1st one

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I did my first test today, about 6 hours from her morning shot. She was 9.3 - I'm using a human meter. Glad I've done the 1st one

Congratulations on that first test! Give yourself a big pat on the back. That's actually not a bad number. Try really hard to get a test before you give insulin and it's best to remove all food at least 2 hours before so you get the real BG, not one that's higher because of food. These tests are the ones you rely on to know if it's safe to give the planned dose.